Deadly American Beauty

By John Glatt

Book Overview

Greg DeVillers was a top biotech executive, and Kristen Rossum was embarking on a career in toxicology at the San Diego Medical Examiner's office. They seemed to be happily married, living the American dream. But only months shy of their second anniversary, Kristen found her handsome husband dead from a drug overdose-his corpse sprinkled with rose petals. By his side was their wedding photo. The scene was reminiscent of American Beauty, one of Kristen's favorite movies. Authorities deemed it a suicide. Until they discovered that the rare poison found in Greg's body was the same poison missing from Kristen's office. Until they discovered the truth about Kristen's lurid affair, about her own long-time drug addiction, and about the personal and professional secrets she would kill to keep hidden-secrets that would ultimately expose the beautiful blonde as the deadly beauty she really was...a Deadly American Beauty

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312984197
• ISBN13: 9780312984199
• Release Date: March 2004
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 0.36 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 4.3" x 6.7"

Customer Reviews

A Book for all True Crime Readers

This was a great read that you could not put down. It went in to details that suspense never left the story. Nothing was dragged out it was written perfectly.It tells the Story of Kristen Rossum all through her life and after she murdered her Beautiful husband Greg DeVillers.So sad and just a very selfish woman Kristen was. Why did she go wrong? her parents gave her so much in life.She was driven to succeed at a young age with so much help and family support.So things that went on in her childhood when she started using drugs and could never stop then leading to murder leaves so many questions open that she will never answer. Just such a sad situation that should have never happened. To take away Greg's life And Greg's family will always live in pain from this.In the book I never saw her show remorse for this nor did I hear that her parents shoes remorse for Greg's family.

I loved this book!

I was engrossed in this story from the minute I started reading it. I found it so amazing, looking at the pictures of this beautiful young girl, that Kristin Rossum could be with no conscience and so cold-blooded. As much as true crime repels us, it still is something you want to read because you just can't believe people do these things. Kristin's husband is portrayed as such a sweet, loving guy and how she murdered him was ruthless; it was overkill. I totally believe she was guilty, although she professes to this day she is innocent. I think she is a compulsive liar who actually started, at some point, believing her own lies. Her drug of choice was methamphetamine and I'm sure it heightened her imagination and determination to get rid of her husband so she could be with her lover. I say, get a divorce if you want out that bad. If you love true crime stories, you will love this book.

You Won't Sleep

Kristin Rossum will be in my nightmares!Not since Nurse Jones murdered the children of San Antonio have I come across an equally heartless female professional. However, Jones could be understood as an unappreciated ego trapped in an average body as opposed to a blonde bombshell and summa cum laude graduate of San Diego State's chemistry program.Perhaps the author exaggerated a few points such as calling UCSD and San Diego State prestigious and playing up Mike Robertson's star status but he mastered the craft of writing true crime.Ann Rule, Jack Olson, and now John Glatt put true crime in a league with science fiction, mystery, and horror.

Glatt does it again

I have always enjoyed John Glatt's true crime books. This is one of his best...a real "page-turner" about a gruesome case. Very well researched and written. Highly recommended.

A Compulsive and Rivetting Crime Book

This is the best true crime book I have read for years. John Glatt does an excellent job of unravelling this intriguing and incredible story of sex, drugs and an unbelievably horrible and cruel murder.He makes the story of the beautiful forensic toxicologist Kristin Rossum come alive in his vivid and brilliantly researched account of one of the most brutal and callous murders ever committed.As a resident of San Diego I followed this case from the beginning, through it's amazing twists and turns. I want to congratulate Glatt on a job well done and I thoroughly recommend it to all true crime lovers.